Breaking Down Fabric: Waxed Cotton

Invented in a Scottish mill that wove sails for the British clipper fleet in the 1850s, the waxed cotton canvas was developed to waterproof a mariner's clothing and gear. This is how legendary British brands like Barbour and Belstaff got the idea to start fortifying their outerwear with a wax coating to combat wet, rainy conditions.

Over the decades, the multi-step process has been refined, yielding jackets that are lighter and more breathable but still impervious to inclement weather (not to mention road burn and other potential hazards). But thankfully, the protective coating still develops that distinctive worn-in patina after some thorough wearing. They're the ideal outerwear for transitional weather when the coated cotton shell provides an equal amount of warmth, breathability, and protection from precipitation. Styling these is easy: Throw them over your favorite denim shirt or thermal now and a cozy fisherman's sweater or shaggy cardigan later. Heck, I think it even looks good over tailoring!

Of course, it's not just jackets getting waxed these days. There are a slew of bags and hats, even jeans—all benefitting from that proactive waxy layer.

Here is some waxed cotton in action.